Simmons said that she wouldn’t want to have to choose between Harding and Walser, although she does have a personal stake in Harding’s election.

“I would like to see Area 4 have another representative,” Simmons said, referring to her neighborhood.

The results released last night were clearer than they have been in recent years. For the first time, transfer votes were included in the unofficial tally.

Some observers said they were unsure what to make of the election.

“The jury’s out for me,” said Mary Tittmann, executive director of the CCA.

Turkel said she was flattered to have received the most votes, and that it reflected the hard work she had put into her campaign. She, like others faced with the question, was unable to specify a preference for either Walser or Harding.

“Nancy’s a hard worker. Richard’s a terrific guy,” Turkel said. “We’re talking about two of my fellow CCA candidates.”

–Staff writer Zachary R. Heineman can be reached at heineman@fas.harvard.edu.